Contact lens

Abstract

A method of making a contact lens involves depositing on a portion of a molding surface of a contact lens mold a colorant composition comprising a pigment, a copolymer of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate and N-vinylpyrrolidinone, and a crosslinking monomer.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of making a contact lens comprising:
 depositing on a portion of a molding surface of a contact lens mold a colorant composition comprising a pigment, a copolymer of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate and N-vinylpyrrolidinone, and a crosslinking monomer, the colorant composition having a Brookfield viscosity of at least 2000 cp and the contact lens mold is made of a polyolefin; 
 at least partially curing the colorant composition; 
 depositing a lens-forming monomer mixture in the mold, and curing the lens-forming monomer mixture, 
 wherein the colorant composition is on a surface of the cured contact lens. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contact lens mold is made of polypropylene. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the colorant composition is deposited on the portion of the molding surface of an anterior contact lens mold. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lens-forming monomer mixture comprises hydroxyethylmethacrylate, N-vinylpyrrolidinone, and a crosslinking monomer. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the colorant composition is deposited to form a concentric ring shape. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the concentric ring essentially conforms to a position of a human iris when the contact lens is placed on the eye. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the concentric ring has a larger outer diameter than a human iris. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, following curing of the lens-forming monomer mixture, dry releasing the contact lens from the mold.